Electronic component mounting apparatus

Abstract

A work or component mounting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a rotating drum arranged above a workbench and divided into upper and lower drums, a head unit detachably mounted to the lower drum of the rotating drum, a circular work head (or, in other words, a component head) attached to the head unit, a suction nozzle protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the work head toward the workbench, and a controller housed in the upper drum of the rotating drum for controlling the turning motion of the work head and the supply of suction pressure to the suction nozzle. While the lower drum is rotating, the suction nozzle of the work head repeats cycloid motion along the workbench with its posture kept fixed with respect to the workbench. While repeating the cycloid motion, the nozzle receives a work from a work feeder of the workbench by suction, and mounts the work on a printed board on the workbench.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A component mounting apparatus comprising: a component supply section disposed in a circular transportation path and having a supply position being successively supplied with components;   a component mounting section disposed at a distance from the supply section, in the transportation path, and having a component mounting surface movable across the transportation path;   a rotating drum arranged above the transportation path and having an outer peripheral portion thereof movable along the transportation path, the rotating drum being divided into upper and lower drums integrally rotatable;   a component head provided at an outer periphery of the lower drum of the rotating drum, the component head having a turning axis extending across the transportation path and including an attraction rod projecting from the component head toward the transportation path;   turning means for turning the component head around the turning axis while keeping the component head in a fixed posture with respect to the transportation path, during the rotation of the drum, and subjecting the distal end of the attraction rod to cycloid motion along the transportation path, the turning means including a head-side portion arranged at the component head, a drum-side portion arranged at the lower drum, and an intermediate portion capable of connecting and disconnecting the drum-side portion to and from the head-side portion;   attraction means for supplying a component attraction force to the rod; and   control means for controlling the operation of the turning means and the attraction means, and including a controller housed in the upper drum of the rotating drum, the controller outputting a control signal for controlling the cycle of the cycloid motion of the rod and the supply of attraction force to the rod in such a manner that a component is attracted to the distal end of the rod in the supply position and then is released from the hold by the rod at the mounting surface, so that the component is mounted on the mounting surface.   
     
     
       2. A component mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drum-side portion of the turning means includes a turning shaft for the component head, rotatable in association with the rotation of the rotating drum; the intermediate portion of the turning means includes a link arm having one end detachably connected to the turning shaft and another end connected to the head-side portion of the turning means; and the turning means further includes a belt-type planetary mechanism for keeping the component head in a fixed posture. 
     
     
       3. A component mounting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said planetary mechanism includes a sleeve shaft coaxially surrounding the turning shaft, a first pulley provided on the sleeve shaft, a second pulley arranged at the head-side portion of the turning means, the second pulley being coaxially connected to the component head, and a belt detachably passed around and between the first and second pulleys. 
     
     
       4. A component mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drum-side portion of the turning means includes a turning shaft for the component head, rotatable in association with the rotation of the rotating drum; the intermediate portion of the turning means includes a link arm having one end detachably connected to the turning shaft and another end connected to the head-side portion; and the turning means further includes a gear-type planetary mechanism for keeping the component head in a fixed posture. 
     
     
       5. A component mounting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said planetary mechanism includes a sleeve shaft coaxially surrounding the turning shaft, a first gear provided on the sleeve shaft, a second gear arranged at the head-side portion of the turning means, the second gear being coaxially connected to the component head, and an intermediate gear meshed with the first and second gears. 
     
     
       6. A component mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said component mounting apparatus further includes a frame from which the upper drum of the rotating drum is rotatably suspended, a drive source for rotating the lower drum of the rotating drum, and coupling means for transmitting a rotatory force from the lower drum to the upper drum to thereby integrally rotate the upper and lower drums. 
     
     
       7. A component mounting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said coupling means includes a plurality of couplers connecting the upper and lower drums, each coupler including an upper bracket protruding from the upper drum toward the lower drum, a lower bracket protruding from the lower drum toward the upper drum, and a spring member connecting the upper and lower brackets. 
     
     
       8. A component mounting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said coupling means further includes a sensor for detecting breakage of the spring member. 
     
     
       9. A component mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means further includes a first cable extending from the controller housed in the upper drum, a second cable extending from a device on the side of the lower drum, and mating connectors for connecting the first and second cables. 
     
     
       10. A component mounting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said control means further includes a plate member fixed to the lower drum and having a holder hole for the mating connectors, the mating connectors being held by the plate member while being fitted in the holder hole.